Latest Public Sector News

100 young apprentices to join the civil service

School leavers will be able to join the civil service apprenticeship fast stream from April, the Government has announced.

The first 100 apprentices, aged 18-21, will be recruited in April to learn on the job in departments from September 2013 for at least the next two years.

Cabinet office minister Francis Maude and head of the civil service Sir Bob Kerslake announced the scheme, as well as plans to expand it the number of places available to 500 each year.

Further details, including expected grades for the scheme and which departments applicants could work in, will be published later today.

In a statement the Government said: “The scheme will strengthen the civil service with talented young people who have chosen not to go to university.”

Maude said: “We are working to reform the civil service, building on its strengths while addressing its weaknesses. Like any big organisation, the success of the civil service depends on its staff. It already employs some of Britain's best and brightest and we have one of the most popular graduate schemes. But we are in a global race and we need to attract more of the best talent, including those who have chosen not to pursue higher education.”

Sir Bob said: “We are committed to giving more young people a chance to work at the heart of government and to receive first-class training. Just because someone hasn't been to university doesn't mean they shouldn't have a bright career ahead of them.”

public sector executive tv

last word

Following the recent Grenfell Tower tragedy, Lord Porter, chairman of the LGA, argues that if the public are going to have faith in the safety testing process then everything must be out in the openmore >more last word articles >

editor's comment

Devolution, restructuring and widespread service reform: from a journalist’s perspective, it’s never been a more exciting time to report on the public sector. That’s why I could not be more thrilled to be taking over the reins at PSE at this key juncture.
There could not be a feature that more perfectly encapsulates this feeling of imminent change than the article James Palmer, mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has penned for us on p28. In it, he highlights...read more >